Putin, Kim Join Xi’s Massive Military Show in Beijing

Beijing hosts a massive military parade that challenges Western influence globally, bringing together leaders from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Twenty-six foreign heads of state meet at this historic event marking 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II and China’s victory against occupying forces.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will stand with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the parade. Their united presence sends a powerful message of solidarity. The gathering builds on momentum from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit that just ended with more than 20 world leaders present—the largest gathering that ever spread. Kim Jong Un’s presence makes history as the first North Korean leader at a Chinese military parade since 1959. The 70-minute spectacle will feature tens of thousands of military personnel marching through Beijing’s historic Tiananmen Square. China will likely display its latest military equipment, including aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems.

Kim Jong Un joins Xi and Putin in rare global appearance

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Kim Jong Un boarded his signature green armored train early Tuesday morning and crossed into China. He headed to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for a historic trilateral meeting. The three leaders will stand together at Wednesday’s military parade that marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

Kim arrives in armored train with elite entourage

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency calls the heavily armored train a moving “fortress” that travels at just 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour. The journey to Beijing takes about 20 hours. This bulletproof transport has bedrooms, conference rooms with reddish-pink leather armchairs, and a restaurant that serves fine French wines and fresh lobster.

Kim’s elite delegation has several key officials:

• Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, one of few North Korean women to hold high office and a veteran diplomat who worked in weapons development diplomacy for over two decades
• Kim Song Nam, director of the International Affairs Department who manages party-to-party ties with China’s ruling Communist Party
• Kim Tok Hun, former premier who leads economic and internal affairs
• Jo Yong Won, director of the organization and guidance department, a powerful body that governs nearly every aspect of North Korea’s life

First multilateral event for North Korean leader

The Beijing appearance marks a breakthrough in Kim’s diplomatic efforts. This is his first time participating in a multilateral event during his 14-year rule. The historic gathering brings Kim, Xi, and Putin—all major challengers to U.S. influence—together at the same venue for the first time.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service states, “Standing side by side with Xi Jinping and Putin on Tiananmen Gate, he will reproduce the triangular solidarity structure of the Cold War era”. Kim will receive special protocol and security measures similar to those given to Putin.

Symbolic return to China after years of isolation

Kim last visited China in 2019 at an event marking the 70th anniversary of China-North Korea relations. He has met Xi five times since becoming leader in 2011. The relationship between North Korea and China has grown tense recently, especially after Pyongyang began supplying ammunition to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Experts believe Kim wants to rebuild ties with Beijing since China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and main aid provider. He also aims to expand his diplomatic reach beyond his recent focus on Russia.

Trilateral optics signal challenge to Western alliances

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Leaders from China, Russia, and North Korea have gathered in a show of strength that challenges Western geopolitical influence. Putin, Xi, and Kim will stand together at Wednesday’s parade, and their rare three-way meeting shows a major change in global power dynamics.

‘Axis of upheaval’ narrative picks up steam

Western strategists now see China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as an emerging “anti-American axis of upheaval” – countries united in their opposition to US-led global order. This alliance has grown stronger after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, which sparked increased cooperation. North Korea supports Russia’s war effort by sending over 15,000 troops to Ukraine, which adds strength to this growing coalition. China and Russia used to join sanctions against North Korea, but now they see it as a military ally.

China, Russia, North Korea display unity

These three leaders will appear together in public for the first time at the military parade. Putin thanked “his dear friend” Xi and said their relationship had reached an “unprecedented level”. Xi responded by calling for resistance against “hegemonism and politics of force” – clearly referring to American influence. Beyond the ceremony, experts believe this meeting points to closer defense cooperation that could reshape military dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.

US and EU leaders step back from global stage

The parade will mainly feature China-friendly governments as most Western leaders have stayed away. Only Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić represent the West. This diplomatic absence highlights growing tensions between China and Western nations over Putin’s Ukraine war. Trump can’t secure a peace deal with Russia, while Xi welcomes Putin, showing Beijing’s diplomatic independence and rising influence.

Military parade offers platform for covert diplomacy

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Beijing’s Victory Day parade showcases more than just ceremony and grandeur. The event serves a deeper purpose: it creates opportunities for diplomatic talks and possible arms deals between countries facing Western sanctions. Military displays set the stage where behind-the-scenes diplomacy takes place quietly.

Potential arms deals with sanctioned states

Several leaders attending the parade represent countries that bought North Korean weapons before – Russia, Iran, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Military expert Yang Uk from Seoul’s Asan Institute noted: “I do believe that the sales for weapons are one of the purposes of this visit”. These deals must happen quietly because UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea remain active.

North Korea’s missile program gains indirect legitimacy

North Korea receives subtle validation for its controversial missile program by joining a parade that features China’s advanced nuclear weapons. Kim Jong Un finds this diplomatic recognition valuable since his country faces isolation worldwide due to weapons development. North Korea’s armed forces have grown stronger and more modern. They now have new weapons and test intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach almost any part of the United States.

China’s soft power used to broker new alignments

President Xi uses China’s diplomatic influence skillfully to reshape global relationships. North Korea can improve its troubled relationship with China through this Beijing visit. The country might also secure economic support despite existing sanctions. Kim can protect his interests if Russia’s needs change when the Ukraine conflict slows down. China shows it knows how to decide which nations “should be deemed acceptable by the international community, whatever the democratic West or the US may think” through this well-coordinated event.

Xi uses parade to pitch alternative world order

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Chinese President Xi Jinping revealed his ambitious Global Governance Initiative (GGI) during a grand military parade. His move directly challenges US-dominated international systems and positions China as the architect of a fundamentally different world order while Trump steps back from global leadership.

Calls for new global governance model

Xi declared that “global governance has reached a new crossroads” and presented his initiative as the solution. The GGI builds on five core principles: sovereign equality, international rule of law, true multilateralism, people-centered approach, and taking real actions. Xi made it clear that “all countries, whatever their size, strength and wealth, are equal participants” in his proposed system. He stood firm against “double standards” and cautioned that a few countries shouldn’t impose their “house rules” on others.

SCO summit sets stage for multipolar diplomacy

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization launched a 10-year strategy to advance a multipolar world. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called this a “clear direction” for the coming decade. Putin celebrated the SCO’s success in bringing back “genuine multilateralism” and building foundations for “a new system of stability and security in Eurasia”. He pointed out that unlike “Euro-centric models,” this system would “genuinely think about the interests of a broad range of countries”.

Xi and Putin promote de-dollarization and new banks

Putin kicked off the expanded BRICS summit by calling for an alternative international payments system. He claimed “the dollar is being used as a weapon”. Xi suggested creating a new SCO development bank—a significant move toward an alternative payment system that bypasses US dollar dominance. Beijing promised 2 billion yuan in free aid to member states this year and 10 billion yuan in loans over three years. Putin highlighted that almost 95% of Russia-China trade now happens in rubles and yuan.

Beijing’s historic military parade marks a fundamental change in global power dynamics. Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran stood together, sending a clear message about their united challenge to Western dominance. The presence of twenty-six foreign heads of state at this event, while Western leaders stayed away, shows how the diplomatic world has changed.

Kim Jong Un made his biggest diplomatic move in years by attending the parade. This ended his self-imposed isolation and could breathe new life into his strained relationship with Beijing. His presence next to Xi and Putin strengthens what experts call an emerging anti-American coalition.

Military displays served as a backdrop for a practical agenda. Leaders used this gathering to conduct private talks among sanctioned states, which gave North Korea implicit support for its weapons programs. China has emerged as the mastermind behind these new partnerships, wielding considerable diplomatic power.

Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative directly challenges today’s international order. China uses this framework and other efforts like the SCO’s 10-year strategy to position itself as the champion of “true multilateralism” against what it calls Western control. These moves, combined with steps toward de-dollarization and alternative financial systems, reveal a complete strategy to reshape global systems.

This union of authoritarian powers means more than just a show of force. Western nations now face their most organized challenge yet from this emerging alliance, which aims to rewrite international rules on its own terms.